School board adds attendance to athletic eligibility

Starting Jan. 1, student-athletes will need to pay attention to how many days of school they miss.

Under a new attendance policy for athletes approved Monday night by the Caldwell County Board a student athlete must attend school for at least 85 percent of the semester, which means missing no more than 13 days, to be eligible to play the next semester. Students must also be present for school on the day of a game unless the game is scheduled for a non-school day.

The school system previously had no policy on class attendance for athletes.

Originally, the policy was to take effect at the beginning of the school year on Aug. 25, which would affect eligibility for spring sports, but the board changed the date to Jan. 1. During a 30-day period for public comments on the proposal, the only comment was made anonymously by someone who said the policy not take effect immediately so that school staff members could be properly trained and better communicate the policy to athletes.

Also Monday night, Dr. Trish Johnson, associate superintendent for human resources, announced the school system had 14 vacant teaching jobs, but principals were well into interviews to fill all vacancies.